Is there an export market for my company?

Blogged By:

MBDA

Created on August 15, 2013

The Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration[1] recently released U.S. metropolitan area trade data[2] for 2012, which shows that overall exports are up for the third consecutive year. Specifically, exports are up in 31 of the top 50 metropolitan areas, 29 of which reached record exports between 2011 and 2012. Among the top 25, Washington, DC, recorded the highest growth between 2011 and 2012, increasing exports by nearly 43 percent. Exports from San Antonio, Texas, which has an MBDA Global Business Center, grew by 33 percent during the same period.

The Department of Commerce offers a wealth of tools and information for businesses to make choices about exporting to international markets. For example, did you know that U.S. companies sold $8 billion in transportation equipment and food products to South Korea last year? U.S. companies also exported $1.4 billion in agricultural products to Turkey.

These are just two examples of the kind of information available through the International Trade Administration’s TradeStats Express[3]. Here’s another. Let’s say your company sells office furniture. Using TradeStats Express, you can very quickly determine that furniture sales to Saudi Arabia have grown 153 percent from 2007 levels and that they are currently purchasing over $140 million in furniture and fixtures from the U.S.

Recognizing that 95 percent of the world’s consumers are outside of the U.S., businesses should take a closer look at prospective international customers. Using tools like TradeStats Express or contacting an MBDA Business Center[4] are good ways to learn more about exporting and to get your firm export-ready. Get started today.